Braves right fielder Jason Heyward returned the lineup Tuesday after missing four games with a bruised left thumb.
Heyward left Wednesday’s game against the Nationals after he was hit in the hand with a pitch. X-rays were negative for a fracture but Heyward had been unable to grip a bat since then.
Heyward sent manager Fredi Gonzalez a text Tuesday afternoon asking him to give him a chance to play catch and take some swings in the batting cage before Gonzalez made out the lineup. Gonzalez said he’s confident Heyward isn’t risking further injury by playing.
“It’s a bone bruise,” Heyward said. “That’s the root of the evil. But the swelling is down.”
Heyward was placed on the disabled list during his rookie season of 2010 with a bone bruise to the same thumb and a strained ligament. He ended up missing 13 games because of that injury.
“This one is different,” he said. “I’m just looking forward to playing.”
About the Author
Keep Reading
The Latest
Featured
